The word is out! As officially announced on September 26th, EcoSchools will be working with a network of partners to expand our award-winning environmental certification program to school communities across Canada.
Over the past 14 years as Ontario EcoSchools, we’ve reached over one million students and certified over 3,000 K-12 schools in Ontario. Through training, conferences, free online resources, and engaging campaigns, we have worked with all levels of the education sector to create transformative change in school communities.
The decision to expand nationally was spurred on by a simple fact: until now, Canada was the only G7 country that did not have a national EcoSchools program. Furthermore, 67 other countries around the world have well-established EcoSchools programs, including India, Australia, South Africa, the UK, Chile, the United States, and many more. The need for a standardized certification process and a local, nationalized voice on an international stage was clear.
To accomplish this goal, EcoSchools Canada has become the Canadian representative for the UNESCO-endorsed Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) network made up 51,000 schools globally. “We are thrilled to begin delivering the EcoSchools program across Canada,” says Lindsay Bunce, Executive Director of EcoSchools Canada. “As a certification framework that supports grassroots initiatives, we are excited to work closely with local organizations and celebrate the amazing work already underway across the country.”
How you can help bring environmental education to Canadian youth
As a registered charity working to create real change in the world and address the climate crisis, we are in greater need than ever for support from our community. If you have seen, felt, or experienced the positive impact of the EcoSchools program and want to help empower today’s youth, we would be grateful for a donation of any size.
You can support environmental leadership in Canada by donating here.
What’s next for EcoSchools Canada?
With a strong foundation established in Ontario and an international network behind us, we will be launching our national program in New Brunswick in partnership with The Gaia Project before rolling out in select regions across Canada through 2020.
“For over ten years, The Gaia Project has been facilitating student-led waste reduction and energy efficiency projects in schools across New Brunswick,” says Lizzy Gresh, Executive Director of The Gaia Project. “Through this internationally recognized certification program, our top-performing schools will get much-deserved acknowledgement for their work. It’s time for us all to take climate action. Our schools should be leading the way.”
The national program will continue to be linked with K-12 curriculum and aligned closely with with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. “If we are going to create a sustainable future, we need to stand with youth, model strong leadership, and support opportunities for students to take action,” adds Bunce.
New, new, new!
Along with our new name and expanded scope, we’ve developed a fresh new logo, a brand new modernized website at ecoschools.ca, and a new social media handle for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @EcoSchoolsCAN. Reach out and say hello!
Sign up to stay up to date on the latest EcoSchools national roll-out news by filling out this form.
If you have questions about our national expansion and what it means for you, email us at info [at] ecoschools [dot] ca.